Ellen Chayet

Ellen Chayet joined the faculty at St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) in 2005, bringing extensive experience as a criminal justice consultant, researcher, and evaluation specialist for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. Her work focused on program assessments, including pre-release initiatives and prisoner classification. At STAC, she teaches criminal justice courses, emphasizing critical thinking and career preparation in law enforcement, corrections, and reentry. A dedicated mentor, she has guided students like Joseph Selchick, who credits her for launching his career as a Detective and Bomb Technician.

• Founded Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice Honor Society) on campus
• Collaborated with Hudson Link to provide college education in prisons
• Member of Rockland County Reentry Task Force since 2011

Her research addresses racial and social inequalities in the criminal justice system, particularly reentry challenges for formerly incarcerated individuals. She holds a doctorate in social policy from Brandeis University and integrates her academic training with field expertise to foster student growth and community impact.

Education:

• Doctorate in Social Policy, Brandeis University